The not to early 2025 Canes Pre Draft Thread

[chaz4hockey]

The trade-downs were highly effective in 2021, a draft that was thought to be weak at the time and doesn't look great for most teams besides us and Dallas in hindsight. I would certainly do the same this time if I were the Canes.

agree....time will tell how many of those '21's will be significant contributors beyond Blake though (out of the 2's: Koivunen is of course gone, Morrow is TBD but most likely a 3rd pair guy, Heimosalmi not shaping up to make it either)

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

agree....time will tell how many of those '21's will be significant contributors beyond Blake though (out of the 2's: Koivunen is of course gone, Morrow is TBD but most likely a 3rd pair guy, Heimosalmi not shaping up to make it either)

Morrow, Koivunen, and Blake look like draft hits for us. Robidas also had a really good AHL season, though I see him as a AAAA guy at the moment. Compared to other teams in our range, our hit rate was really high that year. I'm still optimistic that Morrow has top-4 potential long-term.

 

[NotOpie]

agree....time will tell how many of those '21's will be significant contributors beyond Blake though (out of the 2's: Koivunen is of course gone, Morrow is TBD but most likely a 3rd pair guy, Heimosalmi not shaping up to make it either)

I wouldn't count out Joel Nystrom yet. He signed his ELC, may stay in Sweden if he's not starting in Chicago (may go back anyway). But kid had a growth spurt and has played well in a men's league.

As far as the upcoming draft, I'd be more inclined to make the 29th pick as there are still some guys likely to fall that we'll be interested in. That said, if we could get a high 2nd rounder and a late 3rd rounder, I'd consider that.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I wouldn't count out Joel Nystrom yet. He signed his ELC, may stay in Sweden if he's not starting in Chicago (may go back anyway). But kid had a growth spurt and has played well in a men's league.

As far as the upcoming draft, I'd be more inclined to make the 29th pick as there are still some guys likely to fall that we'll be interested in. That said, if we could get a high 2nd rounder and a late 3rd rounder, I'd consider that.

Tough to discern without seeing him play, but Nystrom had just one point in four playoff games for Farjestad and played one game with the Wolves.

The Hurricanes aren't getting any younger on defense. But with Nikishin seemingly already set for next season, where does Nystrom fit among the younger prospects like Seely, Morrow, Fensore and the others?

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Tough to discern without seeing him play, but Nystrom had just one point in four playoff games for Farjestad and played one game with the Wolves.

The Hurricanes aren't getting any younger on defense. But with Nikishin seemingly already set for next season, where does Nystrom fit among the younger prospects like Seely, Fensore and the others?

I mean... If Nikishin and Morrow make it on the team and become permanent fixtures... they will get younger. That's what the draft is for. Nystrom will be an interesting candidate for 7D considering his right shot.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Tough to discern without seeing him play, but Nystrom had just one point in four playoff games for Farjestad and played one game with the Wolves.

The Hurricanes aren't getting any younger on defense. But with Nikishin seemingly already set for next season, where does Nystrom fit among the younger prospects like Seely, Fensore and the others?

Seely, Fensore (too small) are not difference makers.

Legault, 6'4" 215lb (Sept '03 birthdate) is the wildcard RD that could make the big club and provide the size/physicality needed for 3rd pair.

 

[Tryamw]

We should draft @HisIceness I know he wants to be the PP coach but maybe being on the ice will get their attention.

 

[HisIceness]

We should draft @HisIceness I know he wants to be the PP coach but maybe being on the ice will get their attention.

Now hold on here, I don't want to actually coach the PP although if Dundon is paying me stupid money I would, I just want them to force Rod to accept a PP coach, and preferably not someone like Chad Larose.

I'll gladly coach the other 31 teams PP though.

 

[Chan790]

At 29, don't you think the Canes will do their usual pathway & trade down for more picks?

No. I think regardless if we stay put or move up (My preference. I know we never will.), we need to put "move down and pile picks" in a grave for a while.

It's a strategy that yields a deep system with few high end talents and occasionally a dart of a surprise late draft win. Unsurprisingly...we have a deep system with little high-end talent that we can't really afford to move because we don't know when we'll have another. It doesn't matter how many B-tier specs you have, you typically can't package them for the top-end talent we need. And...now we have good talent withering on the vine. A smart team knows when to retire a strategy...this is a smart team.

If there was ever a team and a draft to cash out and swing big, it's this one...we can weather a year with like 4 picks and 1 lock-solid 1st round hit. Minimally, stay put and take what the draft gives you. Weak drafts usually favor teams that have done the work to find the gems.

 

[Chan790]

Here's a guy I've taken a bit of a shine to. He may still be there at 29 (his rankings are all over the place with Bob McKenzie and Craig Button having him ranked 19 and 24 respectively). He's ranked anywhere from 19 to 54 in the different ranking's that I've seen. But this kid not only seems like a Rod type of player, he brings something else that we need...

A kid that is all over the place in draft projections (everywhere from top-20 to 3rd round.) that I like the shine of is Daniil Prokhorov. 6'6" and 220#, likes to drive the net and also is described as "violent" and "a big hitter." Has a booming shot, but prefers to muscle his way inside, use a move to create space, and point-blank shoot on net.

The only part I don't love is that he's another left-shooting RW.

Daniil Prokhorov - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Daniil Prokhorov, 2007-04-27 Krasnodar, RUS Russia. Most recently in the MHL with MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[AlBundy]

Seely, Fensore (too small) are not difference makers.

Legault, 6'4" 215lb (Sept '03 birthdate) is the wildcard RD that could make the big club and provide the size/physicality needed for 3rd pair.

I don't see RBA going with 3 rookies on the blueline.

If Burns doesn't come back, i feel they will turn to the RFAs or make a trade to get a RHD

 

[LakeLivin]

No. I think regardless if we stay put or move up (My preference. I know we never will.), we need to put "move down and pile picks" in a grave for a while.

It's a strategy that yields a deep system with few high end talents and occasionally a dart of a surprise late draft win. Unsurprisingly...we have a deep system with little high-end talent that we can't really afford to move because we don't know when we'll have another. It doesn't matter how many B-tier specs you have, you typically can't package them for the top-end talent we need. And...now we have good talent withering on the vine. A smart team knows when to retire a strategy...this is a smart team.

If there was ever a team and a draft to cash out and swing big, it's this one...we can weather a year with like 4 picks and 1 lock-solid 1st round hit. Minimally, stay put and take what the draft gives you. Weak drafts usually favor teams that have done the work to find the gems.

Do you really think there'll be a "lock-solid hit" available at #29 oa? Seems like once you get past the top 15(?) or so it's a bit of a guessing game anyways, even more so near the bottom of the 1st round. Unless there's a particular kid they've targeted still available I don't mind moving down a bit and getting more darts. Here's a couple recent Canes picks I posted in another thread. It was talking about drafting for size, but it's still interesting here.
Gauthier 21, Nic Roy 96, Foegele 67, Drury 42, Blake 109, Aho 35, Stank 47

Crispy recently posted a graph showing the chances of a draftee playing more then 100 NHL games by draft position. A player drafted late 20s has maybe a 50% chance. If you trade that for 2 players with 40% and 30% respective chances the overall chance that one of them hits is 58% (with an 18% chance both hit). I'm sure the Borg has much more sophisticated models, but you get the picture.

 

[LakeLivin]

Seely, Fensore (too small) are not difference makers.

Legault, 6'4" 215lb (Sept '03 birthdate) is the wildcard RD that could make the big club and provide the size/physicality needed for 3rd pair.

I don't see RBA going with 3 rookies on the blueline.

If Burns doesn't come back, i feel they will turn to the RFAs or make a trade to get a RHD

Yeah, I'm hoping that Legault might turn out to be "Pesce-ish" but I can't see him starting out in Carolina. I think a more realistic hope is that he shows enough to be an early injury call up, and from there enough to eventually force his way into a permanent position. I say that recognizing that we fans tend to often project prospects at their ceilings, lol.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Yeah, I'm hoping that Legault might turn out to be "Pesce-ish" but I can't see him starting out in Carolina. I think a more realistic hope is that he shows enough to be an early injury call up, and from there enough to eventually force his way into a permanent position. I say that recognizing that we fans tend to often project prospects at their ceilings, lol.

RE: Legault....who knows but don't need to teach size. I'm thinking he is probably two years away or at a minimum, one more full year in Chicago and then a call up possibility in year 2.

But, like you said, optimism.

 

[LakeLivin]

RE: Legault....who knows but don't need to teach size. I'm thinking he is probably two years away or at a minimum, one more full year in Chicago and then a call up possibility in year 2.

But, like you said, optimism.

Yep. And I'd like to see him at least get a couple games this year, maybe even alongside Slavin. Again, I'm basing this on just size and stats but he sure seems to fit the Slavin / Pesce template. Give him a chance to learn firsthand from the master!

 

[DaveG]

A kid that is all over the place in draft projections (everywhere from top-20 to 3rd round.) that I like the shine of is Daniil Prokhorov. 6'6" and 220#, likes to drive the net and also is described as "violent" and "a big hitter." Has a booming shot, but prefers to muscle his way inside, use a move to create space, and point-blank shoot on net.

The only part I don't love is that he's another left-shooting RW.

Daniil Prokhorov - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Daniil Prokhorov, 2007-04-27 Krasnodar, RUS Russia. Most recently in the MHL with MHK Dynamo St. Petersburg. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

sounds like a Russian Tom Wilson, 14 PIM with that kind of description of his play style is utterly shocking.

 

[Chan790]

Do you really think there'll be a "lock-solid hit" available at #29 oa? Seems like once you get past the top 15(?) or so it's a bit of a guessing game anyways, even more so near the bottom of the 1st round. Unless there's a particular kid they've targeted still available I don't mind moving down a bit and getting more darts. Here's a couple recent Canes picks I posted in another thread. It was talking about drafting for size, but it's still interesting here.
Gauthier 21, Nic Roy 96, Foegele 67, Drury 42, Blake 109, Aho 35, Stank 47

Crispy recently posted a graph showing the chances of a draftee playing more then 100 NHL games by draft position. A player drafted late 20s has maybe a 50% chance. If you trade that for 2 players with 40% and 30% respective chances the overall chance that one of them hits is 58% (with an 18% chance both hit). I'm sure the Borg has much more sophisticated models, but you get the picture.

No. I think we should be trading up into the 10-15...even if it leaves us with many fewer picks and moves out system depth. Absent that, we should stay put because higher picks yield better likelihood of getting better talent.

I think the "down to gain darts" strategy is played out, especially since other teams are emulating it and our other draft philosophies increasingly (which means it's about to stop being a good strategy), having seen our proof that it's a great way to build a deep system fast. I see it rapidly dropping in effectiveness.

The right time to change any strategy is to zig when everyone zags to emulate you, exploiting the new inefficiency you've now created.

 

[MinJaBen]

No. I think we should be trading up into the 10-15...even if it leaves us with many fewer picks and moves out system depth. Absent that, we should stay put because higher picks yield better likelihood of getting better talent.

In this draft? With how weak it is supposed to be? Doesn't make sense to spend draft capital to jump up from "if we are lucky" to just "maybe". You might persuade me next year, but not this one.

 

[NotOpie]

Tough to discern without seeing him play, but Nystrom had just one point in four playoff games for Farjestad and played one game with the Wolves.

The Hurricanes aren't getting any younger on defense. But with Nikishin seemingly already set for next season, where does Nystrom fit among the younger prospects like Seely, Morrow, Fensore and the others?

Nystrom was over a .5 ppg player in the Swedish men's league. He's 23, so I'd like to see if he can crack the Wolves line up. If not, then it's back to Sweden and that 7th rounf pick likely doesn't turn into anything.

It's a strategy that yields a deep system with few high end talents and occasionally a dart of a surprise late draft win.

Krutov
Rykov
Yarovoi
Avramov
Legault

Are all 4th round or beyond and all are showing significant promise. Yarovoi, I believe, is rumored to be coming over this Summer. And that's just a small sample. I think we've got a number of "dart" players who have the potential to shine. But, you never know.

One thing I will say is that trading up in this draft is likely a mistake as it is universally considered a weak crop of players.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Of course you change your draft strategy when everyone is doing it. We haven't gotten close to that point yet. When too many teams start to see the game, then go the opposite direction and trade up. I personally don't think the league will copy our draft strategy until we win our first cup. The average human isn't exactly proactive.

 

[fdion]

I've been doing a series for Hockey in the Carolinas covering pre-draft and the draft itself (on site). Doing a few "potentials" articles. First one was on Ravensbergen. next two went up yesterday and today and got two more embargoed that will come out tomorrow andThursday. Friday will be the draft proper.

Anyways, I'm still not sure if they stay with #29 or trade for a pair of picks on round 2... But if they do keep 29, there are several great options there.

 

[ONO94]

Don't see the Canes doing defense or goalie with their first pick - but you never know. My guess is a trade down if it is less than 15 spots or so - especially if they can pick up a second in next year's draft. Other predictions, they will pick one of the youngest in the draft, they will take swings on talent that drops based on size or location and they will draft one goalie.

General nonsense aside - if they keep the first, it will be because someone fell or they want someone like Horcoff who they don't think will last. Someone like Carter Amico (D) seems like a Canes player later in the draft - 6'5, American, with some injuries.... Zharovsky (F) and Limatov (D) from Russia could fall and Jeremy Loranger could be the Poirier type drafted late. And for the youngster - Max Westergard, F from Finland, born Sept. 3 2007 and played in the SHL playoffs this year.

Please remember - this is just me WAGing for fun....